Page 22 of His Captive Pet

“Aubree, it’s okay, the keys are right there.” The woman stood from the cot, letting the blanket fall to the floor to expose her naked body. Thin red welts covered the front of her thighs and her breasts. She pointed to a peg on the bar beside the door.

“Why would he leave the key right there?” Aubree asked and snatched it.

“So I could let myself out if I needed to, and he wasn’t here. Aubree, don’t. It’s not time.”

“What the hell do you mean, it’s not time? He’s beaten you, he’s locked you up.”

“Of course I did. Peaches has a mouth on her when she gets all riled up, and she had herself a real good fit this afternoon,” Devin’s dark voice boomed from behind her.

Aubree managed to get the key in the hole but stilled at the sound of his voice.

“Aubree.” Blake’s voice tickled her spine.

“Shit.” Her shoulders slumped, and the adrenaline she’d been burning drained from her body.

“Hi, Blake.” The caged woman sounded cheerful. Maybe she was completely delusional from being kept locked up.

“Kara,” Blake said.

“What’s going on? Why is she cuffed?” Kara asked, motioning through the bars at Aubree’s wrists.

“I’ll explain everything later. Right now, Aubree needs to go with Blake.” Devin turned the key to the door and pulled it open.

They were all insane. “I’ve had enough. I’m not going anywhere with him!” Aubree turned around and made a run for the stairs. How much could he really expect her to take in one day?

Blake snagged her as easily as he would a firefly dancing in the summer night.

“I scared her,” Kara stated and grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around herself. “Aubree, I’m fine. I promise.” She walked over to where Blake held her against him. “See, I’m good. I just, well, I got myself into a little trouble. The key was there the whole time. I could let myself out whenever I needed to. He didn’t hurt me.”

“You two can talk more tomorrow. Blake needs to get her settled and start taking care of a few things.” Devin wrapped his arm around Kara and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I know this all seems strange, but I promise, you’re safe here, Aubree.”

Aubree didn’t move. The cage stood empty now. She took in the rest of the room. A large bed, nightstands, a lamp. Aside from the array of implements hanging from the wall and the cage, it looked like a bedroom.

“Let’s go.”

At least Blake didn’t pick her up. He simply dragged her up the stairs and through the house until they were back at the truck.

He opened her door and hoisted her back to her seat. “I told you, the washroom and back. You just can’t listen to simple directions.”

“I heard—”

“Don’t lie on top of it. You didn’t hear anything. Kara wouldn’t be calling for help or in any distress. Devin wouldn’t leave her down there if it weren’t safe. You went snooping, looking for a phone maybe?” Irritation burned in his expression, and his hands gripped her knees.

“Blake, I just wanted—”

“You know, since this morning, you’ve done nothing but lie to me, sneak around, and do shit you aren’t supposed to do. Fine. That’s how you’re going to keep playing this then we’ll just have to do this all the hard way.” He slammed the door and called for Samuel.

She watched her dog run to him and wait to be petted before he jumped into the truck again. At least this time Samuel had the decency to jump up to the front to lick her a few times before going back to his seat in the back.

Chapter Nine

Blake helped Aubree down from the truck once they parked in front of the small cabin. Two bedrooms, a living room, and an eat-in kitchen. No glamour, but completely secluded from the rest of the resort. Being so far away from the play space and the other resort patrons gave them quiet, too. They wouldn’t be able to hear anyone else’s play, but more important, no one could hear or see them.

Samuel ran up to a tree and immediately lifted his leg to mark his territory. If only it could be so easy for humans; lift a leg, mark her, and keep her. He doubted Aubree would ever agree or forgive him for even asking about golden showers. The idea didn’t hold much appeal to him, either, except for marking her his.

Maybe it was the situation. Protecting her from the Pecadores gave him a sense of ownership he had no true right to claim. But there it was all the same. Aubree belonged to him, and he would shield her from whatever he needed to in any way he needed to go about doing it. She would hate him at first, and he’d have to shoulder it, but in the end, she’d be safe. And hopefully, completely his.

“Is this where you’re going to keep me locked away?” Aubree broke the momentary silent treatment.

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